I toured Smoke Hole Caverns, WV, several weeks ago and am curious about their artesian spring coming from a stalagmite. Can anyone confirm if this formation is natural, or did they drill into an existing stalagmite to reach an aquifer? The guide suggested that it was natural; but I have to admit that I have a hard time trusting the tour-spiel at privately owned caves (especially ones that stock a cave pool with trout). Also the cave was in a very interesting twisted formation (Tonoloway, I think). The guide suggested that the cave formed before the layers were rotated. This also seems suspect to me. Could a cave even survive those kinds of forces? I am guessing that what was meant was that the layers were rotated before the cave formed; but that is not how it was stated.

I had an enjoyable time touring Smoke Hole Caverns after deciding to pretend that their tour was secretly a comedy act for those "in the know".

They are, of course, one of just two caves worldwide where you can find cave coral, the other being in New Zealand. And don't forget that Smoke Hole is home to the world's longest ribbon stalactite. Also, second-tallest cave room in the country (just barely edged out by Mammoth Cave). The guide even showed us a "bat's nest" just inside the entrance!

With all that said, I'll point out that Smoke Hole Caverns is a beautiful cave, and the tour is well worth admission even if you keep your fingers in your ears.

I stuck my fingers into the hole that the water was spouting from and it was a precisely drilled hole with a sharp edge. The garden hose feeding it can be seen parallel to the walking path just as you enter the cave.But wait, there's more.I took a small sample of the water home and titrated it for calcium...nada.Sorry Smokehole.